Now, let me make an assumption: you already have your basic needs met. You’ve climbed the lower rungs of Maslow’s Hierarchy—food, water, shelter, security.

But there’s still a restless feeling gnawing at you, right? A frustration in your belly that creeps up, keeping you awake at night.

You’re thinking, “I want more, but I can’t seem to break through.”

Am I right?

That frustration is a hallmark of high achievers like you—constantly seeking the next level. And right now, you’ve got three paths in front of you:

1. Action = Distraction

You feel the frustration and dive into action. Sure, movement can shift your state—go for a run, take a drive, hit the gym. But are you taking action to distract yourself from the discomfort, or are you using it to fuel long-term progress?

2. Numbing the Feeling

You might also find yourself reaching for distractions: your phone, food, work, Netflix. These short-term hits give temporary relief, but over time, that frustration will keep bubbling up, growing stronger.

3. Transmuting the Frustration into Fuel

Or, you can choose to embrace the discomfort—to lean into it and use it as fuel for something greater. This is what separates the exceptional from the ordinary.

Embracing the suck aka frustration, sitting with it, and letting it motivate you is a skill. It’s about knowing when to take action and when to hold the vision. It’s what truly exceptional individuals do.

If you’re already moving towards your goals, don’t get impatient. The time horizon for building something legendary is long.

• Can you hold your nerve while the world orientates around your big idea?

• Have you seen the zeitgeist shift and you are the only one seeing it?

• Do you have a delulu vision for how you want to live your life?

Then embrace the suck. Trust the the decision you made to create a legacy was the right one for you and you will follow through, even when you want a short term dopamine hit.

Trust the Process

I’ve seen even the best leaders crumble when the pressure builds. But intense frustration is only a momentary state. It’s not a signal to throw away your long-term vision in favour of short-term gains.

We live in a world conditioned for quick wins—instant gratification is everywhere. From flashy supercars on credit to promises of £100k months, the noise is endless.

But let me ask you this: When you get the thing you want in the short term, are you truly fulfilled? Or do you regret not holding out for something bigger?

Maslow’s Hierarchy as a Filter for Decision-Making

Maslow’s Hierarchy is the perfect model to keep in mind when you’re choosing your moves.

1. Survival Needs: Air, water, shelter—the basics that keep you alive.

2. Safety Needs: Job security, health, property—foundational elements that allow you to function in society.

3. Love & Belonging: Connection with others—family, friends, intimacy. Here’s where you might fall into people-pleasing or codependency, driven by a need for acceptance. Not a bad thing unless you make your whole life and focus about being accepted by others at the risk of your own self.

4. Esteem: Status, recognition, freedom. This is where the ego plays, and where many get stuck—buying flashy items for validation rather than joy. Eg. Buying a flash car and Hermes bag because it’s a statement instead of a true love for the item you’re buying. (Would you buy a designer bag if no one ever saw it?)

These are extrinsic motivators—all driven by the desire for something outside of yourself.

But then comes the top of the pyramid:

Self-Actualisation: The True 0.1%

This is where everything shifts.

When you hit self-actualisation, you become unstoppable. Your creativity flows, your manifesting power skyrockets, and you feel truly alive. This is intrinsic motivation.

It’s creativity for the sake of picking up a paint brush, it’s the joy of driving your car with Classic FM on loud, it’s building a legacy. It’s the difference between a Mozart symphony and a three-minute pop song. It’s buying a handbag for its craftsmanship, not to fit in with the trends. It is the LONG TIME HORIZON that the true greats speak about.

Once you understand this distinction—extrinsic vs. intrinsic—you unlock the key to becoming truly great.

The Legacy Filter

Your long-term vision becomes a filter for your short-term actions. Every time you feel that frustration, use it as a signal: Are you thinking short-term? Are you reaching for your phone for a dopamine hit, or are you using that urge to fuel progress towards your legacy?

Intention before action. Always.

If you want to build something exceptional—a business, a legacy, a life fully expressed—ask yourself: Is this for an intrinsic or extrinsic reason?

Because remember, extrinsic is about gain. Intrinsic is about legacy.